CYCLING IN WESTERN ARUNACHAL

CYCLING IN WESTERN ARUNACHAL

The Road to Tawang

9 to 15 days

This Cycling holiday in western Arunachal Pradesh takes you on the high roads along the Bhutan and Tibet borders to Tawang

Tour Highlights

  • Some of the highest motorable roads in the Eastern Himalayas

  • Meet yhe Monpa, Sherdukpen and Brokpa people

  • Little used back roads with negligable traffic

  • Tea Plantations, River Valleys, Remote Villages

  • Wildlife at Kaziranga National Park

  • Spot the endangered River Dolphins of the Brahmaputra

This cycling tour of western Arunachal Pradesh takes you all the way to the periphery of beautiful Tawang. Lying close to the tri-juncture of India, Bhutan and Tibet, this is the Buddhist belt, home to the Monpa, Sherdukpen and Brokpa people. Up till 1935 this region was administered and taxed by the Tibetian authorities. In 1938 Capt. GS Lightfoot was sent to demonstrate British sovereignty over the region. It was only in 1944 that the Tibetian authorities accepted the proposed Mcmohan line (1914 line) as the defacto border and hence it becoming a part of British India.

This region has some of the highest motorable roads of the eastern Himalayas, at places taking you to an altitude of 4600 mts. We start cycling from the lush tea fields of the Brahmaputra valley, making our way through the sub-tropial broad leaf forest at the foothills to the alpine forest and finally crossing beyond the tree line. Enroute you will pass through small settlements and towns giving you a first hand view into the life in these mountanious regions. The cycling phase covers between 300 to 650 Kms depending on the duration you choose, for most parts riding on little used backroads of this region historically known as the Monyul. Incidentally, in a rough manner we mirror the same route the Dalai Lama used in his exodus from Tibet in the year 1959.

Overview

  • Level
    Tough

  • Total Days
    9 to 15

  • Max. Cycling distance
    Upto 650 Km

  • Avg. Cycling Distance
    70 Km (Plains), 55Km (Mountains)

  • Terrain
    85% Hilly / Mountanious

  • Altitude variation
    50 to 4200 mts

  • Best Time
    Sept/Oct - Mar/May

  • Airport in
    Guwahati (Assam)

  • Airport out
    Guwahati (Assam)

Inclusions

  • All accommodation

  • All Meals

  • Refreshment and water throughout

  • SUV backup throughout

  • Guide on cycle

  • Multi- geared cycles (Scott Aspect 660 / Trek 3700D) with helmets

  • FA Kit

  • Tools and spares

  • Activities as mentioned in the itinerary

  • All permits

Accomodation

  • Meals
    As much as possibly we try cover all the local cuisines

  • Accommodation
    Tea Bungalow, Hotel, Eco Camp, Cottage Tents & Camping

  • Refreshments
    High energy snacks and Water during activities

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FAQ
  • Bikes

    Scott 660 Aspect MTB / Trek 3700 -Fork 80mm travel, Front Derailleur Shimano FD-TX50 / 34.9mm, Rear Derailleur Shimano Tourney RD-TX35 21 Speed (Upgraded), Shifters Shimano ST-EF 41 L / 7R EZ-ire plus (Upgraded), Brakeset Tektro SCM-02 mech. Disc 160F/160Rmm Rotor, Front Tyre 6 26×2.1 / 30TPI, Rear Tyre 6 26×2.1 / 30TPI, Weight 13.6 kg / 29.98 lbs

  • Terrain & Road Conditions

    This tour takes you to onlittle used backroads roads of the eastern Himalayas and its surrounding plains, with a variety of road conditions. The road conditions change every year given the fickle nature of the mountains and its relationship with the monsoons. However for most part one would find well tarred roads with beautiful scenery all along. The route has multiple long climbs and equally long downhill sections

  • Backup

    Sturdy SUV’s and sturdier driver will accompany you on every trip. the condition of roads do not allow for larger vehicles, however do our best to provide you the best in comfort in relation to the routes that we ply on. These vehicles are along right from your airport pick up to your drop back to the airport.

  • Permits

    Indian nationals require a Inner Line Permit (ILP) whereas foreign nationals require Restricted Area Permits (RAP), both of which have a certain fees applicable.

  • Weather Pattern

    Post monsoon months of September- October and pre monsoon months of March-April are very pleasant with blue skies and a fair days. Peak winters are from November to February with the mercury coming down below 0 C.

  • Safety

    We have a very experienced team which is also local. This reflects in the overall safety of our tours. Rest assured your guides know where extra attention is required and when. All our routes are well known to us, we know where the nearest medical facilities are, we know whom to contact if in case of an emergency, we know all the alternate routes in case of road blockages. We have CASEVAC protocols in place to streamline the process in case of emergencies. You can rest easy knowing that in the outdoors in general and this region in particular you are in safe hands with us.

* Our Itineraries are quite unique hence we prefer not to put it up on the site. Please write in to us for the detailed itinerary and cost.

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